Consequences of traumatic brain injury for the family: family functioning and partners' experiences of personality changes

Bodley Scott, Sarah Elizabeth (2014). Consequences of traumatic brain injury for the family: family functioning and partners' experiences of personality changes. University of Birmingham. Clin.Psy.D.

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Abstract

When a person experiences a traumatic brain injury (TBI) the lives of those around them, especially spouses and other family members, may be significantly affected. This thesis first presents a systematic critical review of literature on the state of family functioning in families where one member has experienced a TBI. Overall, findings suggested higher rates of family dysfunction in TBI families than in the general population. The presence of neurobehavioural problems in the injured person (also referred to as personality changes) was particularly associated with poorer family functioning. A qualitative study is then presented, exploring how partners of persons with TBI experience and make sense of personality changes. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to identify themes in the interview transcripts of five female partners of persons with TBI. For four of these women the presence of new negative behaviours and the loss of valued characteristics had contributed to altered perceptions of their partner's identity and of the couple relationship. Their experiences are contrasted with that of one participant who perceived positive changes in her partner whilst considering him to be fundamentally the same. Loss and grief were associated with perception of the partner as different.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Clin.Psy.D.

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